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Kentucky Water Quality Report

246 cities tested · Average grade: B · 4.6M people served

Cities Tested
246
Avg Score
79.3
Population Served
4.6M
Avg Grade
B
Live Water Alerts for Kentucky →
Analysis

Kentucky water quality overview

Kentucky's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 79.3 out of 100 across 246 cities tested. The median score is 83, serving a total population of 4,608,993 residents. 82% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 90 of 246 cities tested (37%). 29 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 47 cities use groundwater while 199 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Kentucky

90 cities
PFAS Detected
37% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.
222 cities
Health Violations
17,306 total violations recorded, 246 with unresolved issues.
3 cities
Failing Systems
Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.
Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Kentucky

Lead in Kentucky → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Kentucky → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Kentucky → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Kentucky

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA →
State context
10
Superfund sites in Kentucky
EPA National Priorities List
99.9%
of Kentucky residents on fluoridated water
CDC, 2020
5,085,182
lbs released to surface water
Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023
4.5%
of Kentucky domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit
USGS, 668 samples · 10 µg/L MCL
Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Kentucky

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 1,104 private wells sampled across Kentucky. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

1.0 µg/L
Median arsenic in domestic wells
P90 9.4 µg/L · max 160.0 µg/L
20 µg/L
Median manganese in domestic wells
11.7% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit
Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Kentucky

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Kentucky, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 5,085,182 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)
NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS
Primary Metals · NA
GHENT, KY41045
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)2,615,010
PERDUE FOODS LLC - CROMWELL PROCESSING PLANT
Food · PERDUE FARMS INC
BEAVER DAM, KY42320
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)924,255
PILGRIMS PRIDE CORP MAYFIELD KY FACILITY
Food · JBS USA FOOD CO
HICKORY, KY42051
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)341,396
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORP OWENSBORO OPERATIONS
Paper · KIMBERLY-CLARK CORP
OWENSBORO, KY42301
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)329,423
ISP CHEMICALS LLC
Chemicals · ASHLAND LLC
CALVERT CITY, KY42029
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)205,973

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Kentucky water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.
Grade Distribution

How Kentucky cities scored

A: 101 B: 101 C: 33 D: 8 F: 3

Best Cities

  1. A Bremen 94.3
  2. A Warsaw 94.1
  3. A Buckner 93.5

Worst Cities

  1. F Baxter 43.3
  2. F Milton 43.5
  3. F Morganfield 44.5
City Map

Water quality across Kentucky

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

246 cities in Kentucky

Full rankings →
# City Grade Score Population Violations
1 Bremen A
94.3
7K 12
2 Warsaw A
94.1
2K 11
3 Buckner A
93.5
38K 8
4 Central City A
92.1
6K 28
5 Hardin A
91.7
2K 25
6 Springfield A
91.3
14K 21
7 New Castle A
91.3
2K 8
8 Oak Grove A
91.2
9K 34
9 Harlan A
91.2
5K 55
10 Almo A
91
2K 11
11 Greensburg A
90.9
2K 31
12 Hawesville A
90.7
3K 14
13 Sparta A
90.5
6K 79
14 White Plains A
90.5
2K 60
15 Augusta A
90.5
2K 17
16 Glasgow A
90.4
37K 56
17 Russellvile A
90.4
9K 18
18 Garrison A
90.4
3K 18
19 Bedford A
90.3
4K 10
20 Florence A
90.2
29K 12
21 Whitley City A
90
34K 25
22 Louisa A
90
8K 32
23 Vanceburg A
90
7K 45
24 Dawson Springs A
90
3K 54
25 Trenton A
90
950 61
26 Stanford A-
89.9
9K 51
27 Franklin A-
89.8
15K 67
28 Dover A-
89.7
3K 31
29 Worthington A-
89.7
2K 18
30 Lewisport A-
89.6
3K 25
31 Jeffersonville A-
89.4
5K 40
32 Calvert City A-
89.4
4K 19
33 Hazel A-
89.4
1K 5
34 Hyden A-
89.3
10K 68
35 South Shore A-
89.3
7K 109
36 Sandy Hook A-
89.2
4K 12
37 Frakfort A-
89.2
3K 10
38 Irvington A-
89.2
2K 56
39 Mt Vernon A-
89
13K 23
40 Lagrange A-
89
10K 3
41 Wheelwright A-
88.9
834 48
42 Horse Cave A-
88.8
20K 46
43 Middlesboro A-
88.8
14K 45
44 Harrodsburg A-
88.8
8K 127
45 Science Hill A-
88.8
6K 31
46 Island A-
88.7
2K 28
47 Danville A-
88.6
33K 65
48 Adairville A-
88.5
5K 15
49 Parksville A-
88.5
4K 6
50 Paintsville A-
88.4
24K 74
51 Fulton A-
88.3
5K 31
52 Ghent A-
88.2
6K 14
53 Prestonsburg A-
88.1
27K 39
54 Crittenden A-
88.1
20K 31
55 Fort Campbell A-
88
22K 10
56 Shelbyville A-
87.5
24K 30
57 Eddyville A-
87.5
5K 40
58 Eminence A-
87.5
3K 5
59 Symsonia A-
87.5
2K 98
60 Eubank A-
87.4
12K 24
61 Dawson Springs, Ky 42408 A-
87.4
8K 18
62 Auburn A-
87.4
3K 38
63 Earlington A-
87.4
2K 41
64 Brodhead A-
87.3
7K 41
65 Lebanon A-
87.2
24K 40
66 Grennsburg A-
87.2
15K 26
67 Edmonton A-
87.2
9K 21
68 Bradenburg A-
87
33K 15
69 Nortonville A-
86.9
3K 63
70 Ft. Thomas A-
86.8
199K 142
71 Elkton A-
86.7
13K 36
72 Raceland A-
86.7
3K 21
73 Campbellsburg A-
86.6
18K 80
74 Wingo A-
86.6
965 67
75 Monticello A-
86.5
21K 22
76 Salt Lick A-
86.5
10K 11
77 Radcliff A-
86.4
54K 144
78 Paducah A-
86.3
65K 35
79 Walton A-
86.3
4K 9
80 Russell A-
86.2
5K 82
81 Cloverport A-
86.2
2K 50
82 Bardwell A-
86
1K 78
83 Owingsville A-
85.9
2K 52
84 Elkhorn City A-
85.9
2K 25
85 Hopkinsville A-
85.8
59K 55
86 Taylorsville A-
85.8
22K 12
87 Hustonville A-
85.8
5K 18
88 Burnside A-
85.7
2K 62
89 Bonnieville A-
85.7
2K 14
90 Leitchfield A-
85.6
28K 59
91 Berea A-
85.5
25K 79
92 Mt Washington A-
85.5
24K 15
93 Frenchburg A-
85.5
5K 9
94 Lebanon Junction A-
85.5
3K 19
95 Muldraugh A-
85.4
1K 4
96 Hardinsburg A-
85.2
18K 85
97 Brooksville A-
85.2
7K 31
98 Owensboro A-
85.1
94K 137
99 Grand Rivers A-
85.1
4K 15
100 Midway A-
85.1
2K 42
101 Fountain Run A-
85.1
1K 11
102 Bardstown B+
85
31K 82
103 Mortons Gap B+
84.9
1K 8
104 Lancaster B+
84.7
19K 95
105 Tompkinville, Ky B+
84.7
10K 11
106 Simpsonville B+
84.7
7K 17
107 Whitesville B+
84.6
4K 10
108 Nebo B+
84.5
5K 17
109 Butler B+
83.9
980 48
110 Somerset B+
83.8
75K 49
111 Fredonia B+
83.8
1K 9
112 Scottsville B+
83.7
23K 151
113 Carrollton B+
83.7
7K 109
114 Wilmore B+
83.7
6K 143
115 Arlington B+
83.7
801 109
116 Ewing B+
83.6
4K 114
117 Knottsville B+
83.5
12K 13
118 Marion B+
83.5
3K 55
119 Guthrie B+
83.4
2K 41
120 Russellville B+
83.3
10K 46
121 Georgetown B+
83.2
36K 35
122 Mckinney B+
83.2
5K 33
123 Madisonville B+
83.1
4K 27
124 Princeton B+
83
13K 79
125 Clay City B+
83
9K 38
126 Brandenburg B+
83
5K 57
127 Cadiz B+
82.9
20K 83
128 Beaver Dam B+
82.8
5K 65
129 Corinth B+
82.8
3K 28
130 Cumberland B+
82.8
3K 46
131 Slaughters B+
82.8
659 14
132 Vine Grove B+
82.4
7K 17
133 Coxs Creek B+
82.3
13K 14
134 Louisville B+
82.2
765K 82
135 Winchester B+
82.2
37K 84
136 Mayking B+
82.2
3K 60
137 Sacramento B+
82.2
2K 20
138 Morgantown B+
82
3K 59
139 Vicco B+
81.6
10K 64
140 Salvisa B+
81.3
10K 20
141 Olive Hill B+
81.3
6K 64
142 Elizabethtown B+
81.2
76K 8
143 Bronston B+
81.1
7K 72
144 Booneville B+
81.1
5K 91
145 Stanton B+
80.8
7K 44
146 Flemingsburg B+
80.7
14K 57
147 Cawood B+
80.6
5K 52
148 Mount Olivet B+
80.5
775 39
149 Versailles B+
80.4
20K 105
150 Salem B+
80.4
11K 92
151 Russell Springs B+
80.4
9K 60
152 Bagdad B+
80.1
23K 31
153 Whitesburg B+
80
4K 82
154 Hindman B+
80
2K 27
155 Wickliffe B
79.9
1K 48
156 Sedalia B
79.8
28K 29
157 Jamestown B
79.8
7K 104
158 Mayslick B
79.7
5K 25
159 Henderson B
79.5
49K 94
160 Carlisle B
79.1
2K 82
161 Lexington B
79
303K 90
162 Hickman B
78.9
3K 88
163 Evarts B
78.7
3K 86
164 Fordsville B
78.5
927 30
165 Dry Ridge B
78.4
8K 72
166 Kevil B
78.3
2K 170
167 Bloomfield B
78.2
6K 29
168 Corbin B
78.1
26K 55
169 Richmond B
77.9
67K 65
170 Burlington B
77.8
67K 72
171 Flatwoods B
77.3
10K 28
172 Hanson B
77.3
2K 33
173 Lawrenceburg B
77.2
23K 132
174 Crab Orchard B
77.1
1K 38
175 Benham B
76.8
855 39
176 Campbellsville B
76.2
47K 105
177 Bowling Green B
75.5
168K 222
178 Sharpsburg B
75.5
4K 29
179 Irvine, B
75.1
15K 59
180 Livermore B
75
5K 93
181 Sebree B-
75
2K 18
182 Cave City B-
74.4
10K 71
183 Drakesboro B-
74.3
888 32
184 Jenkins B-
73.9
3K 68
185 Hazard B-
73.8
27K 162
186 Burkesville B-
73.8
10K 153
187 Burgin B-
73.6
8K 65
188 Dixon B-
73.5
7K 118
189 Maysville B-
73.4
18K 96
190 Wurtland B-
73.3
2K 26
191 Buckhorn B-
73.2
875 88
192 Albany B-
72.8
9K 60
193 Mckee B-
71.7
15K 148
194 Grayson B-
71.3
22K 71
195 Greenup B-
71.2
12K 96
196 Salyersville B-
71.2
12K 88
197 Inez B-
71.1
9K 93
198 West Liberty B-
71
10K 38
199 Calisle B-
70.6
4K 59
200 Lacenter B-
70.6
2K 146
201 Tompkinsville B-
70.3
2K 110
202 London B-
70.2
72K 156
203 Morehead C+
69.6
34K 244
204 Campton C+
69.6
7K 115
205 Uniontown C+
69.6
1K 36
206 Liberty C+
69.3
15K 274
207 Cynthiana C+
68.3
24K 213
208 Pineville C+
68.3
17K 242
209 Paris C+
68.2
14K 189
210 Frankfort C+
67.6
66K 156
211 Ledbetter C+
67.4
3K 135
212 Greenville C+
67
22K 47
213 Benton C+
66.9
31K 239
214 Williamsburg C+
66.6
16K 48
215 Ashland C+
65.7
53K 135
216 Clay C+
65.6
1K 42
217 Falmouth C+
65.3
15K 81
218 Ft. Campbell C+
65.2
43K 77
219 Barbourville C+
65.2
25K 290
220 Mcdoqwell C+
65
15K 49
221 Hodgenville C
64.3
15K 86
222 Hartford C
62.4
20K 207
223 Jackson C
61.9
10K 137
224 Beattyville C
61.9
8K 84
225 Manchester C
61.5
17K 99
226 Calhoun C
60
2K 80
227 Lynch C-
58.2
1K 91
228 Smithland C-
58.1
989 105
229 Catlettsburg C-
57.1
13K 50
230 Murray C-
57
26K 339
231 Kuttawa C-
56.9
8K 64
232 Nicholasville C-
56.8
51K 172
233 Lewisburg C-
56.6
3K 84
234 Mayfield C-
56.2
26K 515
235 Sturgis C-
56.1
3K 119
236 Brownsville D+
50.2
18K 164
237 Providence D
49.5
5K 109
238 Livingston D
47.4
529 94
239 Mt Sterling D
47
29K 291
240 Pikeville D
46.8
54K 177
241 Neon D
46
3K 131
242 Martin D
46
1K 125
243 Milton D
45.5
5K 110
244 Morganfield F
44.5
11K 80
245 Milton F
43.5
9K 121
246 Baxter F
43.3
10K 392
Counties

Browse Kentucky counties

Allen 1 city · avg 83.7 Anderson 1 city · avg 77.2 Ballard 3 cities · avg 76.3 Barren 1 city · avg 90.4 Bath 3 cities · avg 82.6 Bell 2 cities · avg 78.5 Boone 3 cities · avg 84.8 Bourbon 1 city · avg 68.2 Boyd 2 cities · avg 61.4 Boyle 2 cities · avg 88.5 Bracken 2 cities · avg 87.8 Breathitt 1 city · avg 61.9 Breckinridge 3 cities · avg 86.9 Bullitt 2 cities · avg 85.5 Butler 1 city · avg 82 Cabell 2 cities · avg 44.5 Caldwell 2 cities · avg 83.4 Calloway 3 cities · avg 79.1 Carlisle 2 cities · avg 84.8 Carroll 2 cities · avg 86 Carter 2 cities · avg 76.3 Casey 1 city · avg 69.3 Christian 3 cities · avg 88.3 Clark 1 city · avg 82.2 Clay 1 city · avg 61.5 Clinton 1 city · avg 72.8 Crittenden 1 city · avg 83.5 Cumberland 1 city · avg 73.8 Daviess 4 cities · avg 82 Edmonson 2 cities · avg 62.3 Elliott 1 city · avg 89.2 Estill 1 city · avg 75.1 Fayette 1 city · avg 79 Fleming 1 city · avg 80.7 Floyd 4 cities · avg 72 Franklin 2 cities · avg 78.4 Fulton 2 cities · avg 83.6 Gallatin 2 cities · avg 92.3 Garrard 1 city · avg 84.7 Grant 3 cities · avg 83.1 Graves 3 cities · avg 76.8 Grayson 1 city · avg 85.6 Green 2 cities · avg 89.1 Greenup 7 cities · avg 82 Hancock 2 cities · avg 90.2 Hardin 3 cities · avg 83.3 Harlan 7 cities · avg 73.1 Harrison 1 city · avg 68.3 Hart 2 cities · avg 87.3 Henderson 1 city · avg 79.5 Henry 3 cities · avg 88.5 Hopkins 10 cities · avg 85.2 Jackson 1 city · avg 71.7 Jefferson 1 city · avg 82.2 Jessamine 2 cities · avg 70.3 Johnson 1 city · avg 88.4 Kenton 1 city · avg 86.8 Knott 2 cities · avg 80.8 Knox 1 city · avg 65.2 Larue 1 city · avg 64.3 Laurel 1 city · avg 70.2 Lawrence 1 city · avg 90 Lee 1 city · avg 61.9 Leslie 1 city · avg 89.3 Letcher 4 cities · avg 70.5 Lewis 2 cities · avg 90.2 Lincoln 4 cities · avg 84 Livingston 4 cities · avg 72.8 Logan 5 cities · avg 81.2 Lyon 2 cities · avg 72.2 Madison 2 cities · avg 81.7 Magoffin 1 city · avg 71.2 Marion 1 city · avg 87.2 Marshall 3 cities · avg 82.7 Martin 1 city · avg 71.1 Mason 3 cities · avg 80.9 Mccracken 1 city · avg 86.3 Mccreary 1 city · avg 90 Mclean 3 cities · avg 77 Meade 3 cities · avg 85.1 Menifee 1 city · avg 85.5 Mercer 3 cities · avg 81.2 Metcalfe 1 city · avg 87.2 Monroe 3 cities · avg 80 Montgomery 3 cities · avg 67.2 Morgan 1 city · avg 71 Muhlenberg 4 cities · avg 81.9 Nelson 3 cities · avg 81.8 Nicholas 3 cities · avg 77.8 Ohio 3 cities · avg 74.6 Oldham 2 cities · avg 91.3 Owsley 1 city · avg 81.1 Pendleton 2 cities · avg 74.6 Perry 2 cities · avg 73.5 Pike 2 cities · avg 66.3 Powell 2 cities · avg 81.9 Pulaski 5 cities · avg 85.4 Robertson 1 city · avg 80.5 Rockcastle 3 cities · avg 74.6 Rowan 1 city · avg 69.6 Russell 2 cities · avg 80.1 Scott 1 city · avg 83.2 Shelby 3 cities · avg 84.1 Simpson 1 city · avg 89.8 Spencer 1 city · avg 85.8 Taylor 1 city · avg 76.2 Todd 3 cities · avg 86.7 Trigg 1 city · avg 82.9 Trimble 1 city · avg 90.3 Union 3 cities · avg 56.7 Warren 1 city · avg 75.5 Washington 1 city · avg 91.3 Wayne 1 city · avg 86.5 Webster 5 cities · avg 69.3 Whitley 2 cities · avg 72.3 Wolfe 1 city · avg 69.6 Woodford 2 cities · avg 82.8
ZIP Codes

Browse Kentucky by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Kentucky ZIP codes →
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Kentucky's water

Is Kentucky's tap water safe to drink?

Kentucky's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B (79.3/100). 82% of cities scored an A or B, while 4% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Kentucky cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Bremen (A), Warsaw (A), Buckner (A). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Kentucky cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Baxter (F), Milton (F), Morganfield (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Kentucky cities have PFAS in their water?

90 out of 246 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (37%). 29 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Water quality resources

Guide
How to Read Your Water Quality Report
Read guide →
Guide
Lead in Drinking Water
Read guide →
Guide
PFAS Forever Chemicals Explained
Read guide →
News
Latest Water Quality News
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